A1 adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists

ABSTRACT

Adenosine and xanthine derivatives, and compositions comprising those compounds, are potent selective agonists and antagonists of adenosine receptors. The derivatives and compositions are used to treat conditions, including certain cardiac arrhythmias.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/330,640, filed Oct. 28, 1994 U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,260 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/144,459, filed Oct. 28, 1993 U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,046.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adenosine is an extracellular messenger generated by all cells in the body. Adenosine itself, substances that mimic the actions of adenosine, and substances that antagonize its actions have important clinical applications. In the heart, an organ whose function depends critically on an adequate supply of oxygen, adenosine regulates the balance between oxygen supply (coronary blood flow) and oxygen demand (cardiac work). Adenosine released from working heart cells increases oxygen supply through coronary dilation and decreases oxygen consumption by slowing heart rate and modulating β-adrenergic stimulation. The protective effects of adenosine are particularly important when cardiac oxygen supply is limited, for example, by coronary artery narrowing.

Several recent reviews describe the adenosine system in detail (Belardinelli, L., J. Linden, R. M. Berne [1989] Prog. Cardiovasc. Dis. 32:73-97; Belardinelli, L., A. Pelleg [1990] J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol. 1:327-339; Olsson, R. A., J. D. Pearson [1990] Physiol. Rev. 70:761-845). The cardiac adenosine system consists of three processes: (1) mechanisms for adenosine formation; (2) adenosine receptors and proteins that couple them to effectors; and (3) mechanisms for the removal of adenosine. Selective modification of one or more of these systems by means of drugs such as adenosine receptor antagonists and adenosine uptake inhibitors can modify the actions of adenosine for therapeutic benefit.

Adenosine formation increases when oxygen demand exceeds its supply, thereby promoting the degradation of adenine nucleotides. The degradation of adenylates released from nerve terminals along with neurotransmitters and the degradation of S-adenosylhomocysteine, a byproduct of methylation reactions, are additional sources of adenosine in the heart. Heart muscle and coronary blood vessel cells take up very nearly all the adenosine generated in the heart, reincorporating that adenosine into the cellular nucleotide pool.

At least two types of receptors mediate the actions of adenosine in the heart. A₁ adenosine receptors (A₁ AR) decrease oxygen consumption, for example, by slowing heart rate, and A₂ adenosine receptors (A₂ AR) increase oxygen supply by causing coronary vasodilation. The actions of adenosine on cardiac cells are either direct (cAMP-independent) or indirect (cAMP-dependent). The direct actions include the negative dromotropic effect on the AV node. Those electrophysiological effects are the basis of adenosine's anti-arrhythmic properties; adenosine is highly effective (>90%) in terminating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). The A₁ AR-mediated inhibition of agonist-stimulated (but not basal) adenylate cyclase activity constitutes the indirect effects of adenosine. Whereas the direct effects of adenosine occur in the absence of agents that act through adenylate cyclase, the indirect effects reflect the inhibition of this enzyme when it is stimulated by agents such as β-adrenergic agonists.

A number of pharmacological studies employing receptor-selective agonists support the idea that A₂ ARs mediate coronary vasodilation. Although endothelial cells contain A₂ ARs and thus could play a role in vasodilation, they are not essential, for adenosine acts on coronary smooth muscle cells, causing them to relax.

When adenosine is used as a drug, its side effects are usually transitory, a reflection of its extremely rapid degradation in the body (seconds). The safety of adenosine in the diagnosis and treatment of PSVT is now well established. An important factor which has inhibited the therapeutic development of the adenosine analogues is the ubiquitous nature of adenosine's action on a variety of tissues.

Two kinds of drugs modify the actions of adenosine according to whether they magnify or attenuate the effects of the nucleoside. Inhibitors of the cell membrane nucleoside transporter block the removal of adenosine from the extracellular space, thereby increasing its concentration and intensifying its action. Adenosine uptake blockers also inhibit the nucleoside transport system in human erythrocytes and cardiocyte membranes and potentiate the cardiac actions of adenosine in the dog.

Methylxanthines competitively antagonize the binding of adenosine to both the A₁ AR and the A₂ AR. Certain naturally occurring methylxanthines such as caffeine and theophylline antagonize the cardiovascular effects of adenosine. For example, the administration of adenosine to patients receiving theophylline fails to produce AV block or terminate PSVT. However, those methylxanthines are relatively weak and, more importantly, are nonselective, antagonizing both the electrophysiological and vasodilatory effects of adenosine in laboratory animals and humans. Theophylline also ameliorates the non-cardiac effects of adenosine such as flushing, local pain, and respiratory stimulation.

Synthetic alkylxanthines, e.g., 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX; see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,364,922 and 4,980,379), are significantly more potent and selective antagonists at the A₁ AR than are theophylline or caffeine.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns the discovery of certain novel compounds which can bind to adenosine receptors with surprisingly high affinity, specificity, and selectivity. Specifically exemplified herein are xanthine and adenosine analogues comprising an epoxide moiety. As explained in more detail herein, these adenosine agonists and antagonists have therapeutic utility in a broad range of applications including cardiac and renal regulation. Included among these novel compounds are both adenosine agonists and antagonists.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, the novel compound known as 1,3-dipropyl-8-{3-oxatricyclo[3.1.2.0²,4 ]oct-6(7)-yl}xanthine, herein referred to as ENX, is used as an antagonist of adenosine. Advantageously, ENX has been found to be uniquely potent, specific, and highly selective for the A₁ adenosine receptor. Particular enantiomers of the ENX compound were synthesized and tested for their relative activity. Testing of R-and S-enantiomers of ENX revealed advantages of the S-enantiomers, namely, potency and selectivity for the A₁ AR greater than those of the racemate or the R-enantiomer. However, the R-enantiomer, by virtue of its shorter biological half-life, can be advantageous in defined therapeutic applications requiring a short duration of action.

The subject invention further concerns other xanthines and adenosines comprising an epoxide moiety in an exocyclic substituent. Further embodiments of the invention include compositions and formulations comprising ENX or those analogues or derivatives which can have therapeutic utility as agonists or antagonists of adenosine.

A further aspect of the subject invention is a method for using the disclosed compounds for modulating the biological activity of adenosine. The compounds, or compositions comprising those compounds, can be utilized for their modulating effect on adenosine, e.g., as agonists or antagonists of adenosine receptors. The antagonist activity of the subject compounds can be utilized in treating conditions where elevated levels of adenosine are present; the agonists can be useful where stimulation of the adenosine receptor is needed. Such conditions include, but are not limited to, cardiac, renal, hepatic, or lung diseases, such as cardiac arrhythmias, renal failure, liver failure ascites, and asthma. Modulating adenosine activity can also be used in the treatment of maturity onset diabetes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a scheme outlining the syntheses of 1,3-dipropylxanthines having C-8 substituents that contain an epoxide moiety.

FIG. 2 is a scheme for the synthesis of adenosine derivatives containing an epoxide moiety.

FIG. 3 shows synthesis of (2R)- and (2S)- and (2S)-endo-5-norbornen-2-carboxylic acids.

FIGS. 4A-4D show selective antagonism of the negative dromotropic (S-H interval prolongation) effect of adenosine (Ado) by ENX. FIGS. 4A-4B show an analog record of the prolongation of the S-H interval (A₁ response, FIG. 4A) and the increase in coronary conductance (A₂ response, FIG. 4B) caused by a 3 minute infusion of adenosine (4 μM) in the absence and presence of 0.4 μM ENX. ENX inhibited the negative dromotropic effect of adenosine, but did not antagonize the coronary vasodilation (increase in coronary conductance) caused by adenosine. FIGS. 4C-4D show selective antagonism by ENX (0.4 μM) of the A₁ receptor-mediated increase in the S-H interval caused by adenosine (4 μM), but not the A₂ receptor mediated coronary vasodilation. The values are the mean ±SEM from five guinea pig hearts. The asterisk is indicated by those values significantly different from adenosine alone (P<0.05).

FIGS. 5A-5D show a lack of effect of ENX on left ventricular pressure (LVP) and dP/dt_(max). Guinea pig hearts were atrial paced at a constant cycle length of 300 msec and exposed to progressively higher concentrations of ENX, i.e., 2 and 200 μM. In the same hearts ENX alone caused no significant changes in the stimulus-to-His bundle interval (not shown). Identical results were obtained in three other hearts.

FIG. 6 shows the effect of ENX and isobutylmethylxanthines (IBMX) on phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in homogenates of DDT₁ MF-2 cells. The data for IBMX, shown as squares in the figure, clearly shows inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity. In contrast, phosphodiesterase activity following ENX administration, shown as circles in the figure, remained constant and showed no inhibition.

FIG. 7 shows the specificity of action of ENX to antagonize the negative dromotropic effect (S-H prolongation) of adenosine in guinea pig heart. The effect of ENX (2 nM, 2 μM) on similar S-H prolongation caused by adenosine (ADO, 4 μM), magnesium (Mg²⁺, 3 mM), and carbachol (CCh 0.14 μM) was determined. The height of each bar graph presents the mean ±SEM of 4 experiments. Only the S-H interval prolongation caused by adenosine was antagonized by ENX.

FIG. 8 shows accumulative urine output in rats intravenously given 0.1 mg/kg of ENX (racemic) mixture; ENX (R-enantiomer); ENX (S-enantiomer); and a vehicle used as a control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject invention pertains to novel compounds, and formulations comprising those compounds, which can advantageously be used as either agonists or antagonists at adenosine receptors. Specifically, these compounds either promote or antagonize the negative dromotropic, chronotropic, and inotropic effects mediated by an A₁ adenosine receptor (A₁ AR). In the heart, these compounds can either promote or antagonize the negative dromotropic, chronotropic, and inotropic effects mediated by A₁ AR, and in the kidney the antagonists promote diuresis through an A₁ AR.

The subject compounds are of two general types: (1) 1,3-dialkylxanthines having C-8 substituents that comprise an epoxide (oxiranyl) moiety, and (2) adenosines having N-6 substitutents that comprise an epoxide moiety. In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the xanthine epoxides are 1,3-dialkylxanthines having an epoxide moiety covalently bound to the C-8 substituent of xanthine. The preferred epoxides of xanthine or adenosine are those having an epoxide moiety as part of an exocyclic substituent.

The general structure of one class of 1,3-dialkylxanthines is shown below as Formula I: ##STR1## wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different, and can be an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons in length; and n=0-4. It would also be understood that R₁ and/or R₂ can be a hydrogen. Compounds which have one of the R-groups as hydrogen and the other R-group as an alkyl would be epoxides of alkyl xanthine; compounds having both R-groups as alkyls are epoxides of dialkylxanthine.

The general structure of the 1,3-dialkyl-8-oxatricycloalkylxanthines is shown below as Formula II: ##STR2## wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different, and can be a hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons; R₃ is either O or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons; and n=0-4.

A polymethylene chain 1-4 carbons in length can link the epoxide moiety to C-8 of 1,3-dialkylxanthine, as in Formula I. The epoxide group can also be part of an exocyclic substituent linked to C-8 of the xanthine moiety, either directly or through a (poly)methylene chain 1-4 carbons long, as in Formula II. The exocyclic substituent, shown as Formula II, can be a bicycloalkyl group, forming an oxatricycloalkyl substituent. Other exocyclic epoxide structures can also be part of the compound as would be readily recognized by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The bicycloalkyl group can further contain an alkenyl group for the formation of a second epoxide moiety.

FIG. 1 depicts a general synthesis scheme for the 8-substituted 1,3-dipropylxanthines.

A preferred embodiment of the subject invention is a compound having the chemical name 1,3-dipropyl-8-{3-oxatricyclo[3.1.2.0²,4 ]oct-6(7)-yl}-xanthine, which is commonly termed epoxynorbornylxanthine, or ENX. The formula for ENX is shown as Formula III, below: ##STR3## ENX has been demonstrated to have advantageous and unexpected properties as an adenosine antagonist by its high selectivity and affinity for the A₁ adenosine receptor.

Essentially, a patient who has any condition where levels of endogenous adenosine are, or could become, excessive can benefit from therapeutic use of the subject antagonist compound or a composition comprising the compound. For example, the subject invention pertains to the use of the subject antagonist compounds as diuretics or in the treatment of renal failure. In addition, the subject antagonist compounds or compositions comprising these compounds can be employed in the treatment of certain conditions affecting the heart, including bradyarrhythmias associated with hypoxia or ischemia (myocardial infarction), sick sinus node syndrome, and in heart failure, where the positive inotropic effect of the antagonist can be advantageous. Other conditions which are recognized as resulting from, or affected by, elevated levels of endogenous adenosine can also be treated with the subject adenosine antagonists.

The high selectivity and affinity for A₁ adenosine receptor exhibited by the subject compounds, e.g., ENX, make them particularly useful as diuretics. The potency of ENX as a diuretic has been demonstrated to be at least as high as the potency of furosemide (Lasix), a commonly used diuretic in human and animal medicine. Thus, it would be understood that ENX could be used in a manner comparable to the way furosemide is used to produce a diuretic effect in a patient.

The diuretic activity exhibited by ENX can be exploited in the treatment of several conditions commonly affecting mammals, especially humans. For example, congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which diuretics are extensively used. Hypertension, often a concurrent condition with CHF, is also regularly treated with diuretics. ENX was shown to have comparable diuretic activity and potency as currently marketed diuretics, e.g., Lasix, used for treatment of such conditions. Thus, the subject compounds, especially ENX, can be used in a similar manner for treatment of these conditions.

The subject adenosine antagonists can also be indicated as nephroprotecting compounds. ENX, which has been shown to bind to the A₁ adenosine receptor, can be used to block those receptors during the use of contrast agents known to be nephrotoxic, or can be useful in treatments to counteract the nephrotoxic effects of certain antibiotics, e.g., gentamycin, amphotericin, or cyclosporin.

In addition, the subject A₁ adenosine antagonists, e.g., ENX, can be useful for treatment of the ascites of liver failure. As would be readily understood in the art, ENX can be useful with certain modifications of treatment regimens and indications for non-transplant patients suffering from liver failure, pre-transplant patients, or for transplant patients having hepato-renal syndrome.

The activity as an adenosine A₁ receptor inhibitor and diuretic indicates that the subject antagonist compounds, e.g., ENX, also can be used as an analgesic, especially in the treatment of angina, claudication, and bradyarrhythmias associated with ischemia, hypoxia, or reperfusion. Also, the use of exogenously administered adenosine in cardiac diagnostic procedures, e.g., imaging of cardiac vasculature, is known to produce transitory side effects, including a brief onset of pain. As this side effect has been attributed to adenosine's binding to, and stimulation of, the A₁ receptor (but not the A₁ receptor), an adenosine antagonist inhibiting the binding of adenosine to that A₁ receptor can be used to counteract the pain experienced by a patient undergoing the procedure. The subject compounds, including ENX, selectively bind to the A₁ adenosine receptor, inhibiting the binding of adenosine (and thus blocking or counteracting any side effect associated with the binding of adenosine to the A₁ receptor).

Further, the subject antagonist compounds, including ENX, can be used as a bronchodilator, i.e., an antiasthmatic. ENX has been shown to relax tracheal smooth muscle, thus producing bronchodilation. This property is also common to other much weaker xanthine derivatives, e.g., theophylline. Such use of the subject antagonist compounds as an antiasthmatic treatment suggests that the compound can be useful when administered via an inhalation route.

Other routes of administration of the subject compounds can also be used. For example, it is generally contemplated to administer the compounds according to the optimal route indicated for the condition being treated. Thus, the compounds can be administered intravenously, per os, transdermally, etc., and in single or multiple dosage regimens, as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

It would also be understood by ordinarily skilled artisans that the above-described uses for the subject compounds can be optimized by using particular isomers which demonstrate different biological activities. Having a chiral center, ENX is recognized to exist in at least two enantiomeric forms. The ENX enantiomers, namely, the S-enantiomer and the R-enantiomer, have been synthesized as the R- and S- isomers of 5-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid by methods available in the art. See Poll, T. et al. (1985) Tetrahedron Lett. 26:3095-3098, and Poll, T. et al. (1989) Tetrahedron Lett. 30:5595-5598. The endo-R- and endo-S-enantiomers of ENX are shown as Formulas IV and V, respectively. ##STR4## Studies conducted on the two enantiomers of ENX show that both are selective for the A₁ AR as compared to the A₂ AR. The S-enantiomer has a longer duration of action than the R-enantiomer. Although a racemic mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers can have the biological activity of either or both isomers, it is now understood that the S- and R- isomers can be used separately, as a single enantiomer, to effect particular advantageous activities of either enantiomer.

For example, about 80-90% of the biological activity demonstrated by a racemic mixture of ENX is accounted for by the S-enantiomer. This result is primarily due to the very short duration of activity by the R-enantiomer as compared to the duration of action exhibited by the S-enantiomer. The prolonged action of the S-enantiomer can be due to a slower clearance rate in the liver, e.g., slower metabolic degradation by enzyme systems such as cytochrome P₄₅₀. The S-enantiomer, which showed slightly increased potency in vitro as compared to the R-enantiomer, showed substantially higher potency in vivo, and consequently higher selectivity for the A₁ adenosine receptor as compared to the A₂ receptor. See Example 4 for specific data comparing the selectivity and affinity properties of the S- and R-enantiomers of ENX.

The advantageous properties, e.g., increased potency (in vitro and in vivo) and higher selectivity, as well as the longer duration of action exhibited by the S-enantiomer, indicates that the S-enantiomer can be very useful as a diuretic in animals and humans. In most instances, as those exemplified above, the S-enantiomer can be the preferred compound because the length of its duration of activity, which is more than that of the R-enantiomer, can be critical to achieving its effect. In other words, the compound must at least cause an effect long enough to accomplish the desired result.

On the other hand, in instances where short duration of action are desired, e.g., during intravenous infusion of adenosine or onset of myocardial ischemia, when the onset of increased adenosine levels is rapid and lasts only for a short period of time (on the order of seconds or minutes), an adenosine antagonist having a short duration of action, e.g., the R-enantiomer of ENX, can be advantageously used. The activity of the ENX R-enantiomer is beneficial for short periods of time. However, the R-enantiomer of ENX is rapidly degraded or metabolized. This rapid metabolism can prevent complications associated with drug interactions became the concentrations of the ENX R-enantiomer are rapidly decreased. Due to its analgesic properties, the R-enantiomer of ENX can be administered for the acute pain of angina.

Another application of the subject compounds having a short duration of action is as an antiasthmatic or bronchodilator. It has been suggested that the high biological activity shown for the S-enantiomer of ENX is due to the rapid and selective metabolism of the R-enantiomer of ENX in the liver. This can be due to a first-pass effect exhibited for the R-enantiomer when administered by routes in which the drug is degraded by liver enzymes prior to or at about the same time as it reaches the appropriate receptors where the pharmacologic effect is induced. However, certain other routes of administration can be advantageously used to exploit this first-pass effect. For example, the S- and R-enantiomers of ENX have been demonstrated to be bronchodilators. Administration of the R-enantiomer alone (or in a composition comprising the R-enantiomer but not the S-enantiomer) by inhalation immediately presents the compound to the appropriate receptors in the trachea and bronchi to cause its action. Any absorbed compound is rapidly eliminated, which reduces residual levels of the compound in the body.

Derivatives of adenosine containing an epoxide moiety, particularly those having an epoxide moiety in an N-6 substituent, can be used as A₁ AR agonists. Epoxide derivatives of adenosine agonists can also display high selectivity for adenosine receptors. High selectivity for cardiac tissue is also demonstrated. More specifically, N⁶ -substitution of adenosine with epoxycycloalkyl groups can result in potent and tissue-selective agonists.

The N⁶ -subregion of the A₁ adenosine receptor contains chiral recognition sites which can be important for the determination of A₁ /A₂ selectivity. The epoxide can be substituted as a cycloalkyl substituent, e.g., cyclopentyl, norbornanyl, or adamantanyl derivative of adenosine. Shown below as Formula VI is an adenosine epoxide having the epoxide substituent at the N⁶ position. The epoxide can be attached as a cyclopentyl or norbornanyl group. ##STR5## and R₁ =an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons. The compound can be one of four isomers: the 2R-endo, 2R-exo, 2S-endo, or the 2S-exo form.

Biological activity can also be enhanced by modifying other parts of the cycloalkyladenosine molecule. For example, both 2- and 5'-chloro substitutions of N⁶ -cycloalkyladenosines have been used to increase A₁ selectivity. FIG. 2 shows the steps involved in chemically convening an adenosine molecule or its derivative to an adenosine compound comprising an epoxybicycloalkyl group as an N⁶ substituent. Preferably, dimethyldioxirane is the oxidant used in the formation of the epoxide of the adenosine compound. See Iyer, R. S. et al. (1994) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116:1603-1609. The dimethyldioxirane can be made according to methods and procedures known in the art. See Murray, R. W., R. Jeyaraman (1985) J. Org. Chem. 50:2847-2853; Adam, W. et al. (1991) Chem. Ber. 124:2377.

The subject adenosine agonists can be useful for the treatment of a patient where stimulation of A₁ AR is needed. Uses for the subject adenosine agonists and compositions comprising those agonists include their use as a functional β-blocker; as an antiarrhythmic agent for the control of heart rate, including supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, catecholamine (cAMP-dependent) supra- and ventricular-arrhythmias; diabetes type II; and cardioprotection, e.g., decrease infarct size and increase tolerance to myocardial ischemia.

The compounds of the subject invention (agonists and antagonists) can be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier into a composition that can be administered to a patient who would benefit from the adenosine receptor agonist or antagonist properties of the subject compounds or compositions.

Advantageously, dosages of the subject adenosine antagonists for treating post-resuscitation cardiac arrhythmias can be less than the 0.1-20 mg/kg range which has been previously reported for known adenosine antagonists. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,379. An effective dose can be recognized as the dose at which the alleviation of bradycardia and reversal of hemodynamic collapse occurs.

Standard procedures for administration of adenosine antagonists such as theophylline and aminophylline at effective dosage levels are well established and are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the recommended therapeutic range for plasma levels of theophylline for patients with reversible obstruction of the airways is from 10-20 μg/ml. The subject compounds, having high selectivity and potency, can be useful and effective at known concentrations in the blood.

The above list of treatment uses for the subject compounds or compositions is by no means exhaustive, and other situations where the subject invention could be advantageously employed would be readily recognized by ordinarily skilled persons in this art. For example, it would be readily recognized in the art that other conditions which can be treated by reducing the effects of elevated endogenous adenosine or by increasing stimulation of the A₁ AR can also benefit from the use or administration of the subject adenosine antagonists or agonists, respectively.

Following are examples which illustrate procedures, including the best mode, for practicing the invention. These examples should not be construed as limiting. All percentages are by weight and all solvent mixture proportions are by volume unless otherwise noted.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 8-Epoxyalkylxanthines

Chemistry

The scheme shown in FIG. 1 outlines the syntheses of 1,3-dipropylxanthines having C-8 substituents comprising an epoxide moiety. The reaction of 5,6-diamino-1,3-dipropyluracil, 1, with an ω-alkenoyl halide or an ω-alkenoyl ester gave an amide 2, which was then cyclized in hot alkali to form the 8-ω-alkenyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine 3. Oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid yielded the 8-epoxyalkylxanthine 4. Alternatively, the Diels-Alder condensation of 3 with a 1,3-cycloalkadiene generated an 8-bicycloalkenylxanthine 5. When furan was the alkadiene the product was the 8-ω-{7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-en-5(6)-yl}xanthine 5, which contains both (a) an epoxide moiety and (b) an alkenyl moiety that can serve for the formation of a second epoxide moiety. The oxidation of 5 with 2.4 equivalents of meta-chloroperbenzoic acid gave the 8-epoxybicycloalkylxanthine 6.

1,3-dipropyl-8-{3-oxatricyclo[3.2.1.0²,4 ]oct-6(7)yl}xanthine

A solution of 8-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-en-5(6)ylxanthine (1.0 g, 3 mmol) and m-chloroperbenzoic acid (0.8 g, 3.6 mmol) in 50 ml CH₂ Cl₂ was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. A second aliquot of peracid was added and stirring continued for 24 hours. Evaporation gave a yellow oil that was purified by preparative reverse phase HPLC on C-18 silica eluted with a gradient of 70-80% methanol in water. Yield 0.54 g, 52%, mp 149°-150° C.

1,3-dipropyl-8-{7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-en-5(6)yl}xanthine

A suspension of 1,3-dipropyl-8-vinylxanthine (0.4 g, 1.5 mmol) in 50 ml dry THF containing furan (0.22 ml, 3 mmol) was stirred at room temperature. The addition of 1 drop of TMS triflate effected solution, and HPLC showed the disappearance of starting material. Preparative reverse phase HPLC on C-18 silica eluted with a gradient of 50-80% methanol in water yielded 0.25 g (50%) of product.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of an Adenosine Derivative Comprising an Epoxide Moiety

A compound useful as an adenosine agonist is an adenosine derivative comprising an oxabicyclo- or oxatricycloalkyl group as an N-6 substituent. A general scheme for the preparation of the compound is shown in FIG. 2.

N⁶ -endo-{3-oxatricyclo[3.2.1.0²,4 ]oct-6(7)-yl}adenosine

A solution of N⁶ -(endo-2-norbornene-5-yl)adenosine (0.5 g, 1.4 mmol) in 100 mL dry methanol was cooled to 0°-5° C. in an ice bath, a solution of dimethyldioxirane in acetone (40 mL, 4 mmol) was added; stirring continued for 8 hours in the ice bath and then overnight at room temperature. Evaporation of solvent and purification by chromatography yielded 0.42 g (81%) of a white solid.

EXAMPLE 3 Use of the Novel Compounds as Adenosine Antagonists

In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the subject compounds as adenosine antagonists, the activity of the compounds was compared to known antagonists. In addition, the specificity, selectivity, and potency of ENX as an A₁ adenosine receptor antagonist, functional and biochemical (radioligand binding assays) experiments were carried out on guinea pig isolated hearts, in membranes from guinea pig brain, DDT₁ MF-2, and PC12 cells. The results of these experiments are described below.

1. Functional studies

The functional evidence that an epoxide of alkylxanthine (ENX) specifically and selectively antagonizes cardiac actions of adenosine mediated by A₁ -adenosine receptor but does not antagonize A₂ -adenosine-receptor mediated coronary vasodilation was obtained in the isolated perfused guinea pig heart. The effect of ENX and two other alkylxanthines (NAX and CPX) on the A₁ -receptor mediated changes in stimulus-to-His bundle interval (S-H interval; a measure of AV nodal conduction) and on the A₂ receptor mediated coronary vasodilatation were investigated. The potency of ENX, NAX, and CPX to antagonize the negative dromotropic (prolongation of S-H interval) of the A₁ agonist CCPA and vasodilatory effect of adenosine are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Potency of various alkylxanthines to antagonize A.sub.1                        receptor-mediated                                                              cardiac response: results of Schild analysis.                                  ENX             NAX        CPX                                                 ______________________________________                                         PA.sub.2                                                                              8.45 ± 0.19                                                                              8.79 ± 0.15                                                                            8.76 ± 0.02                                  K.sub.B                                                                               3.6 nM       1.6 nM     1.7 nM                                                 (1.2-3.9)    (1.1-3.2)  (1.6-1.9)                                       Slope  -0.91 ± 0.06                                                                             -0.89 ± 0.11                                                                           -0.81 ± 0.03                                 n      4            3          3                                               ______________________________________                                          Values are mean ± S.E.M. of the PA.sub.2 (-log.sub.10 K.sub.B), the         equilibrium dissociation constant K.sub.B, and the slope of Schild plot.       Cardiac response: antagonism of the negative dromotropic effect of the         selective A.sub.1 agonist CCPA. The numbers in parentheses are the minimu      and maximum K.sub.B values. n = number of experiments. Neither the             PA.sub.2 (K.sub.B) nor the slope of Schild plots were significantly            different among the antagonists.                                         

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Potency of various alkylxanthines to antagonize A.sub.2                        receptor-mediated                                                              coronary vasodilation.                                                         ENX                NAX      CPX                                                ______________________________________                                         IC.sub.50                                                                             no effect       7.1 μM                                                                               1.5 μM                                             (0% at 50 μM)                                                                               (4.8-9.4)                                                                               (0.8-2.2)                                      n      4               3        3                                              ______________________________________                                          Values are the concentration of antagonist that inhibits 50% (IC.sub.50)       of a maximum coronary vasodilation caused by adenosine. Values in              parentheses are 95% confidence interval of the IC.sub.50 values. n =           number of experiments.                                                   

Although all three alkylxanthines were equipotent in antagonizing the A₁ -receptor mediated prolongation of the S-H interval, ENX is far more selective than NAX and CPX.

To further demonstrate the selectivity of ENX for A₁ vs A₂ receptor, measurements of A₁ -receptor mediated S-H interval and A₂ -receptor mediated increase in coronary conductance were carried out during administration of adenosine alone and adenosine plus ENX (FIGS. 4A-4D). Adenosine (Ado, 4 μM), when administered alone, produced a significant increase in S-H interval and coronary conductance. When adenosine was administered together with ENX (0.4 μM), the S-H interval prolongation was completely inhibited, whereas the A₂ -mediated coronary vasodilation remained unaltered. After washout of ENX, a third administration of adenosine alone caused a significant prolongation of S-H interval (similar to the first administration of adenosine) and increase in coronary conductance. These findings demonstrate that the effects of ENX are reversible and that ENX antagonizes the A₁ -receptor mediated S-H prolongation but not the A₂ -receptor mediated increase in coronary conductance caused by adenosine. These data also demonstrate the capability of ENX to inhibit activity (and thus any side effects) associated with the binding of adenosine to the A₁ receptor while the beneficial pharmacological activity of adenosine stimulation of the A₂ receptor remains unaffected.

To determine whether ENX had a positive inotropic effect, experiments were conducted to determine its effects on left ventricular pressure (LVP) and its first derivative dP/dt, an index of contractility. As illustrated in FIG. 5, there were no significant changes in either LVP or dP/dt of normoxic guinea pig hearts when these hearts were exposed to increasing concentrations of ENX (2-200 μM). LVP and dP/dt remained constant during the administration of varying concentrations of ENX and washout. These results demonstrate the lack of a positive inotropic effect of ENX.

Consistent with the lack of positive inotropic effect, ENX also did not inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase (FIG. 6). Cells were homogenized in 40 mM Tris buffer at pH 8.0, and the whole homogenate was used in the enzyme assays. PDE activity was determined by incubating homogenate (0.4 mg protein) in Tris buffer containing 20 mM MgCl₂, 4 mM mercaptoethanol, 0.06 mg bovine serum albumin, 0.4 mM cAMP 130 nCi of [³ H]cAMP and the indicated concentrations of ENX or IBMX for 45 min at 30° C. Blank incubations were carried out in parallel assays without the homogenate. At the end of the incubation, the suspensions were incubated in a boiling water bath for 2 minutes, transferred to an ice-water bath for 2 minutes and 0.1 mg of snake venom phosphodiesterase was added. The suspensions were incubated for 10 minutes at 30° C., and the adenosine formed was isolated by ion exchange chromatography. The control rate of adenosine formed was 220 pmol/mg protein per minute. The mount of adenosine formed was linear over the incubation period used.

Agents that inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase are known to produce positive inotropic effect. The results illustrated in FIG. 6 clearly showed that ENX does not inhibit phosphodiesterase, whereas isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX, a known positive inotropic agent) inhibits phosphodiesterase. These findings demonstrate an advantage of ENX over other alkylxanthines that are known to inhibit phosphodiesterase, and therefore have the potential to produce a positive inotropic action.

Carbachol and MgCl₂ were used to test the specificity of antagonism by ENX, e.g., S-H interval prolongation mediated by adenosine As illustrated in FIG. 7, ENX (2 nM, 2 μM) did not antagonize the negative dromotropic effect of carbachol or MgCl₂. In contrast, ENX did antagonize the S-H prolongation caused by adenosine.

In summary, the results of the functional experiments described above demonstrate that in the heart, ENX is a reversible, specific, and highly selective antagonist of adenosine at the A₁ receptor subtype.

2. Radioligand binding studies

To determine the binding affinities of an epoxide of alkylxanthine, ENX, and compare to other alkylxanthines (CPX, NAX and CPT), radioligand binding experiments were carried out in membranes prepared from brain tissue, DDT₁ MF-2 and PC12 cell lines. The results of these experiments are illustrated in Tables 3 and 4. The results summarized in Table 3, below, indicate that in brain tissue, ENX is more potent than the other alkylxanthines at the A₁ AR, whereas in DDT₁ MF-2 cell the binding affinity of the alkylxanthines for the A₁ receptor are approximately the same. With regard to A₂ receptors in PC12 cell membranes, ENX was markedly less potent than CPX. In addition, the binding affinity of ENX for the A₁ receptor, either brain or DDT₁ MF-2 cells, was markedly higher than that at the A₂ receptor in PC-12 cell membranes.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Binding affinities of alkylxanthines for the A.sub.1 - and A.sub.2             -adenosine                                                                     receptors in brain, DDT.sub.1 -MF.sub.2 and PC-12 cell membranes                      K.sub.i (nM)                                                            Alkylxanthine                                                                           Brain       DDT.sub.1 MF.sub.2                                                                         PC-12                                         ______________________________________                                         ENX      0.45 ± 0.02 (5)                                                                         0.22 ± 0.03 (5)                                                                         11,666 ± 366 (4)                           CPX      4.4 ± 0.8 (4)                                                                           0.13 ± 0.01 (4)                                                                           320 ± 40 (3)                             NAX       3.8 ± 0.21 (4)                                                                         0.18 ± 0.05 (3)                                                                         --                                            CPT      41.0 ± 13.0 (4)                                                                         --          --                                            ______________________________________                                          A.sub.1 receptor binding was carried out with [.sup.3 H]CPX in guinea pig      forebrain and cardiac membranes, and in intact DDT.sub.1MF.sub.2 cells.        A.sub.2 receptor binding was carried out with [.sup.3 H]NECA in PC12 cell      membranes. Values are mean ± SEM of triplicate determinations in each       of several (n) preparations. K.sub.i values were calculated as described       in methods. Abbreviations for the alkylxanthines are as follows: ENX =         1,3dipropyl-8-{3oxatricyclo[3.1.2.0.sup.2,4 ] oct6(7)-yl}xanthine; CPX =       8cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine; NAX =                                       1,3dipropyl-8-(3-noradamantyl)xanthine; and CPT =                              8cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine.                                       

Additional radioligand binding studies have been carried out in guinea pig forebrain (A₁ receptor) and striatum (A₂ receptor) to demonstrate the greater A₁ receptor selectivity of ENX as compared to the previously known adenosine receptor antagonists, NAX or CPX. Table 4 shows A₁ and A₂ receptor binding affinities of brain tissue expressing A₁ (forebrain) and A₂ (striatum) adenosine receptors. The results of Table 4 clearly illustrate that ENX is significantly more selective for A₁ than A₂ receptors than the other alkylxanthines, NAX and CPX. That is, ENX was 800-fold selective for A₁ vs. A₂, whereas NAX and CPX were only 20 and 7.5 fold selective for A₁ vs. A₂, respectively. These results of these radioligand binding studies are fully consistent with that of the functional studies in guinea pig isolated hearts.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Binding affinities of alkylxanthines for the A.sub.1 and A.sub.2               adenosine                                                                      receptor in brain membranes                                                           K.sub.1 (nM)                                                            Alkylxanthine                                                                           A.sub.1 (forebrain)                                                                          A.sub.2 (striatum)                                                                       Ratio A.sub.1 /A.sub.2                        ______________________________________                                         ENX      0.45 ± 0.13                                                                               360 ± 36                                                                              800                                           NAX      1.10 ± 0.15                                                                               22 ± 6.90                                                                              20                                           CPX       8.4 ± 3.00                                                                               63 ± 5.40                                                                             7.5                                           ______________________________________                                          A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 receptor binding was carried out with [.sup.3 H]CPX        and [.sup.3 H]CGS 21,860 in guinea pig forebrain and striatum,                 respectively. Values are mean ± S.E.M. of triplicate determinations in      each of four preparations.                                               

EXAMPLE 4 Activities of ENX Enantiomers

The S-enantiomer and R-enantiomer of ENX were synthesized, as described, and tested for their relative activities and potencies. As shown in Table 5, below, the lower dissociation constant of the S-enantiomer of ENX suggests slightly higher potency (K_(i) =0.98) as compared to the R-enantiomer (K_(i) =2.1).

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Equilibrium dissociation constants of ENX enantiomers and CPX for              rat brain A.sub.1 adenosine receptors.                                         Compound      K.sub.d or K.sub.j, nM                                           ______________________________________                                         [.sup.3 H]CPX 0.49                                                             R-ENX         2.1                                                              S-ENX         0.98                                                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Potency and selectivity of ENX to antagonize radioligand binding to            rat brain adenosine A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 receptors ("IC.sub.50 "* values)                 A.sub.1   A.sub.2  Selectivity                                       ______________________________________                                         ENX (racemate)                                                                             1.65 nM     2.1 μM                                                                               1300                                          S-ENX       1.15 nM     9.0 μM                                                                               7800                                          R-ENX       2.70 nM     2.6 μM                                                                                960                                          ______________________________________                                          *"IC.sub.50 " refers to the concentration at which radioligand binding to      receptors was 50% inhibited.                                             

The increased potency of the S-enantiomer is shown in FIG. 8. As shown, most of the diuretic activity exhibited by ENX as a racemic mixture resided in the S-enantiomer. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows a cumulative urine output measured for a period of 2 hours in rats administered 0.1 mg/kg ENX racemate, ENX R-enantiomer, and ENX S-enantiomer. It is therefore shown that, as a diuretic, the S-enantiomer of ENX is more potent than the R-enantiomer of ENX or a racemic mixture of R- and S-enantiomers of ENX. The duration of action is also longer for the S-enantiomer of ENX. These properties of the ENX S-enantiomer suggest its preferable use as a long-lasting diuretic in treating conditions normally calling for administration of a diuretic. Standard pharmacologic screening tests showed that the S-enantiomer of ENX (100 mg/kg per os) relaxed constricted guinea pig tracheal muscle. The S-enantiomer of ENX reduced serum cholesterol and heparin precipitating β-lipoproteins in mice after 100 mg/kg per os. Of interest, the observed reduction in HPL/CHOL ratio below 0.92 suggests a possible decrease in atherogenic low density β-lipoproteins.

Saluretic activity associated with increased urine volume output was observed in the hydrated rat at doses of and above 3 mg/kg per os. Moderate kaluretic activity was also noted after 30 mg/kg per os in this preparation, suggesting potassium sparing diuretic activity.

The R-enantiomer was shown to have activity as an antagonist of adenosine. Specifically, the R-enantiomer was observed to induce relaxation of spontaneous tone in guinea pig trachea. Saluretic activity associated with increased urine volume output was observed in the hydrated rat at 10 mg/kg per os of the ENX R-enantiomer. However, the activity of the ENX R-enantiomer has a very short duration of action as compared to the S-enantiomer. However, that can be useful in treating conditions that indicate short-acting treatments.

EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of N⁶ -Substituted Adenosine Derivatives

The subject agonist compounds shown as Structure IV can be synthesized according to known procedures. For example, the general synthesis scheme for obtaining these compounds initially involves alkylation of an appropriately substituted amine, e.g., a bicyclic amine, with 6-chloropurine riboside. This straightforward reaction has been commonly used for the synthesis of N⁶ -substituted adenosines. See WO 84 04 882 (1985).

The substituted amine can be functionalized with a double bond which can then be oxidized to generate the epoxide product. m-Chloroperbenzoic acid can be used for this oxidation reaction. See also Sharpless, K. B., W. Amberg, Y. L. Bennani, G. A. Crispino, J. Hartung, K.-S. Jeong, H.-L. Kwong, K. Morikawa, Z.-M. Wong, D. Xu, X.-L. Zhang (1992) J. Org. Chem. 57:2768-2771; and Kolb, H. C., B. K. Sharpless (1992) Tetrahedron 48:1015-1030.

An alternative method of generating epoxides is the osmium-catalyzed dihydroxylation of olefins, which is now well known in view of the discovery of phthalazine ligands and that osmate ester hydrolysis is acceleration by organic sulfomamides. A simple, one-pot procedure for the conversion of vicinal diols into epoxides is known in the art (Kolb, H. C., B. K. Sharpless, supra). This reaction proceeds without epimerization via halohydrin ester intermediates. Combination of these methods allows epoxides to be obtained from olefins in a stereospecific fashion.

The substituted amines which can be used for synthesis of the subject compounds shown as Structure IV are 3-cyclopenten-1-yl amine (for the cyclopentene oxide derivative of adenosine) or 5-norbornen-2-yl amine (for the cyclohexene epoxide derivative of adenosine). 3-Cyclopenten-1-yl-amine can be synthesized from cis-1,4-dichlorobutene and diethyl malonate via a 5-step reaction sequence which is known in the art (Murdock, K. C., R. B. Angier [1962] J. Org. Chem. 27:2395-2398).

The synthesis of 5-norbornene-2-yl amine proceeds from 5-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid, commercially available as a mixture of four isomers, 2R and 2S, each endo and exo. Conversion of this carboxylic acid to acyl chloride, followed by treatment with sodium azide, yields an acyl azide. Curtius rearrangement (loss of N₂ and migration of the substituent group) and subsequent hydrolysis yields 5-norbornen-2-yl amine as a mixture of isomers. This reaction sequence can be performed as a continuous operation without the isolation of the acyl azide or isocyanate in the synthesis of 4-aminocyclohexene. Another variation used for the Curtius rearrangement involves the preparation of the acyl azide by treatment of the corresponding acyl hydrazine with nitrous acid. In both cases, the rearrangement retains the absolute configuration at the chiral center. The endo and exo components can be separated by HPLC methods known in the art.

The synthesis of the optically pure 5-norbornen-2-yl amines involves the use of asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions to obtain intermediate carboxylic acids, followed by a Curtius rearrangement as described above. A general scheme for synthesizing these compounds is shown in FIG. 3.

EXAMPLE 6 Uses, Formulations, and Administrations

Therapeutic and prophylactic application of the subject compounds, and compositions comprising them, can be accomplished by any suitable method and technique presently or prospectively known to those skilled in the art. Further, the compounds of the invention have use as starting materials or intermediates for the preparation of other useful compounds and compositions. The compounds of the invention are useful for various non-therapeutic and therapeutic purposes. It is apparent from the testing that the compounds of the invention have effective antiarrhythmic activity. Specifically, they are useful in regulating cardiac arrhythmia, including PVST, in animals and humans.

The demonstrated effects of both the agonists and the antagonists on cardiac chronotropy, dromotropy, and inotropy make them useful therapeutically as either stimulants or modulators of cardiac performance, thereby affecting function of the heart. For example, the regulation or modulation activity of the subject compounds can affect heart rate (chronotropic effect) and impulse conduction (dromotropic effect). The subject compounds can also be used diagnostically to determine parameters of cardiac function, e.g., as pharmacological reagents useful in determining whether adenosine receptors are mediators of dysfunction of the heart or other organs.

The subject compounds can also serve as standards for in vitro and in vivo studies that measure or compare activities of other agonists and antagonists that act directly or indirectly through adenosine receptors. As reagents for such comparisons, the compounds are valuable pharmacological tools. Their high affinity and selectivity for the A₁ adenosine receptor make them important sources of information about the function of those receptors throughout the body.

Other uses for the subject compounds include their use in the characterization of structure or location of adenosine receptors in organs or tissues. This can be done by, for example, attaching an appropriate label or reporter to the subject compounds by standard techniques or procedures known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The labels that are suitable for conjugation to the compounds of the subject invention include, but are not limited to, radiolabels (e.g., radioisotopes), fluorescent labels, and biotin labels. Radioisotopes that are suitable for labeling the subject compounds include Bromine-77, Fluorine-18, Iodine-131, Iodine-123, Iodine-125, Iodine-126, Iodine-133, Indium-111, Indium-113m, Gallium-67, Gallium-68, Ruthenium-95, Ruthenium-97, Ruthenium-103, Ruthenium-105, Mercury-107, Mercury-203, Rhenium-99m, Rhenium-105, Rhenium-101, Technetium-99m, Tellurium-121m, Tellurium-99m, Tellurium-125m, Thulium-165, Thulium-167, Thulium-168, and Tritium. The gamma-emitting Indium species and Technetium-99m are preferred isotopes because these isotopes are detectable with a gamma-camera and have favorable half lives for imaging in vivo. Alternatively, it would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that non-radioactive labels, for example, enzyme-substrate complexes, e.g., biotin-avidin, horseradish peroxidase-alkaline phosphatase, and the like could be used. Also, fluorescent entities suitable for labeling the subject compounds include fluorescein sodium, fluorescein isothiocyanate, and Texas red sulfonyl chloride. As such, the compounds can be used to visualize, in vitro or in vivo, structure or function of organs or tissues in which the A₁ adenosine receptors are present.

A further embodiment of the subject invention involves the use of the compounds to direct therapeutic compounds to the A₁ adenosine receptor site. Became of the specificity of the compounds of the subject invention, they can be conjugated to therapeutic compounds in order to direct the therapeutic compound to the vicinity of A₁ adenosine receptor. Also, in the case of compounds of the subject inventions which have selectivity to a specific type of tissue, such as heart tissue, these compounds can be used to direct therapeutic or diagnostic reagents to those locations.

The administration of the subject compounds of the invention is useful as an antiarrhythmic agent. Thus, pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the invention as active ingredients are useful in prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in humans or other mammals.

The dosage administered will be dependent upon the antiarrhythmic response desired; the type of host involved; its age, health, weight, kind of concurrent treatment, if any; frequency of treatment; therapeutic ratio and like considerations. Advantageously, dosage levels of the administered active ingredients can be, for examples, dermal, 1 to about 500 mg/kg; orally, 0.01 to 200 mg/kg; intranasal 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg; and aerosol 0.01 to about 50 mg/kg of animal body weight.

Expressed in terms of concentration, the active ingredient of the invention can be present in the new compositions for use dermally, transdermally, intranasally, bronchially, intramuscularly, intravaginally, intravenously, or orally in a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 50% w/w of the composition, and especially from about 0.1 to about 30% w/w of the composition. Preferably, the novel compound is present in a composition from about 1 to about 10% and, most preferably, the novel composition comprises about 5% novel compound.

The compositions of the invention are advantageously used in a variety of forms, e.g., tablets, ointments, capsules, pills, powders, aerosols, granules, and oral solutions or suspensions and the like containing the indicated suitable quantities of the active ingredient. Such compositions are referred to herein and in the accompanying claims generically as "pharmaceutical compositions." Typically, they can be in unit dosage form, namely, in physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human or animal subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic or prophylactic effect in association with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable other ingredients, e.g., diluent or carrier.

Where the pharmaceutical compositions are aerosols, the active ingredients can be packaged in pressurized aerosol containers with a propellant, e.g., carbon dioxide, nitrogen, propane, etc. with the usual adjuvants such as cosolvents, wetting agents, etc.

Where the pharmaceutical compositions are ointments, the active ingredient can be mixed with a diluent vehicle such as cocoa butter, viscous polyethylene glycols, hydrogenated oils, and such mixtures can be emulsified if desired.

In accordance with the invention, pharmaceutical compositions comprise, as an active ingredient, an effective amount of one or more non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable ingredient(s). Examples of such ingredients for use in the compositions include ethanol, dimethyl surfoxide, glycerol, alumina, starch, calcium carbonate, talc, flour, and equivalent non-toxic carriers and diluents.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A method for protecting renal tissue from damage by a nephrotoxic agent, said method comprising administering to a patient an effective amount of a compound having a structure selected from the group consisting of ##STR6## wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different, and can be H or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons, and n=0-4; and ##STR7## wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different, and can be H or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons, R₃ is either O or (CH₂)₁₋₄, and n=0-4.
 2. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said compound has the structure: ##STR8## wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different, and can be H or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons, and n=0-4.
 3. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said compound has the structure: ##STR9## wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different, and can be H or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbons, R₃ is either O or (CH₂)₁₋₄, and n=0-4.
 4. The method for protecting renal tissue, according to claim 3, wherein said compound is an S-enantiomer having the structure: ##STR10##
 5. The method, according to claim 3, wherein said compounds is an R-enantiomer having the structure: ##STR11##
 6. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said nephrotoxic agent is selected from the group consisting of contrast agents and antibiotics.
 7. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said compound is administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 